Confidentiality
All information contained in your child’s records, including your personal information, is confidential. Anyone who is not directly involved in the care of your child or affiliated with childcare licensing, protective services, or other government agencies will not have access to the records without your written authorization or a court order.
As a parent or guardian, you can request access to your child’s records. We are happy to provide access, by appointment, to records kept at the center, including the Enrollment Agreement, Incident/Accident Reports, Family Communication sheets, or progress notes. For information about the process to access other documents that may be included in your child’s records, please contact your Center Administrator.
All children and families have the right to confidentiality and privacy; therefore, center surveillance footage is not available for parents to review at any time. The cameras are an optional, non-regulated, non-mandated form of protection for team members and students alike and are used by the owners/Administration for safety and quality purposes.
As a primary parent or legal guardian, you have the right to add and update information, comments, data, or other relevant materials in your child’s records.
If you withdraw your child from the center, we will maintain your child’s records for the minimum period required by DCY (Department of Children and Youth) licensing regulations. If you want a copy of your child’s records, an administrative fee will be charged to offset the costs of copying and delivery. Please see your Enrollment Agreement for the specific fee.
Photos and Videos
Out of respect for other children and families, please do not post photos or videos that contain images of children other than your own on the Internet.
Families indicate their photo and video preferences as part of the Enrollment Agreement. If a family does not give permission for identifiable photos or videos of their child, the center will respect that request. When appropriate, the center may use photos or videos in which the child is not identifiable, such as when the child’s face is covered or otherwise obscured.
Parent and Student Conduct
When a child’s or parent’s behavior threatens the safety of others, or if a child or parent becomes abusive toward other children, parents, or staff in the center, we may disenroll the child immediately.
There will be times when problems arise that require communication and understanding. Parents are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous, and calm manner while disputes, misunderstandings, or any incident requiring investigation are being addressed. If any situation causes concern, please bring it to the Administrator to resolve. Please provide all the necessary information and allow the Administrator 24–48 hours to investigate any claim or dispute.
If a parent/guardian is unable to conduct themselves respectfully, the Center Administrator reserves the right to withdraw the child effective immediately. This includes degrading or yelling at team members, spreading malicious content on social media, and falsely accusing a team member without taking the necessary steps to resolve the conflict constructively. Our key to success is partnership and trust, and that means resolving conflict in a productive, non-threatening manner.
Where we find our staff or our center at fault for a misunderstanding, we will work with the parent, staff, and DCY to resolve the issue.
Any complaint that poses a serious risk will require an Administrator to report to the Department of Children and Youth (DCY). You also have the right to report to DCY under any circumstances, major or minor, at any time. You will still be responsible for payment for your child’s spot while an issue is being investigated, and all enrollment/withdrawal policies still apply.
Outside-Business-Hours Babysitting
We discourage staff members from providing private childcare or babysitting services on their own time. If a staff member does provide babysitting services, the staff member is acting in their individual capacity. We are not responsible for babysitting services performed by members of our staff, including transportation of your child(ren).
Restricted Items
Toys That Depict Weapons
Toy weapons such as guns, water pistols, swords, shields, or other items that resemble weapons are not permitted in the center.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
To promote a safe, engaging, and relationship-focused environment, children may not bring cell phones, smart watches, tablets, gaming devices, or other personal electronic devices to the center, including during classroom activities and field trips. Any electronic device brought to the center will be collected by staff and securely stored until the end of the day, when it will be returned to the child or the child’s parent or guardian. We cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged personal belongings.
Weapons
Family members, children, and guests are strictly prohibited from possessing firearms or other weapons on our property and at events sponsored by us. An exception may be made for sworn law-enforcement officers if required by law, and for team members who have been authorized to have a firearm under Ohio Administrative Code Rule 5101:2-12-12, Safe equipment and environment for a licensed child care center (Chapter 5101:2-12 | Licensing of Child Care Centers).
If children are found in possession of weapons, center management will confiscate the weapon and notify the proper authorities.
Solicitation
We prohibit any distribution of literature or products at any of our centers. This includes literature or products commonly used to raise money for public school-related activities, political campaigns, or non-profit groups, unless permission is given by the Center Administrator.
Drug and Alcohol Substances
We are committed to fostering and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for everyone. Team members, family members, and guests are prohibited from smoking or vaping of any kind in the center and are strongly encouraged not to do so while on the property. At no time shall anyone use, vape, smoke, consume, sell, manufacture, or be under the influence of any alcohol, cannabis, or illegal drugs inside or on the center’s property.
If we have cause for concern that anyone picking up a child is impaired in their ability to function, we will strongly encourage alternative pick-up options and will notify authorities immediately if the parent/guardian insists on taking the child(ren) while showing signs of intoxication or being under any substance that would render them unfit to care for children.
